The ongoing legal dispute between Epic and Apple is being live broadcasted this week, and a lot of incredible stuff has come out of it already. Tim Sweeney, Epic's founder and CEO, has been repeatedly asked to identify consoles; the money Epic paid out for their first nine months of free games on the Epic Games Store was revealed; and we've also got that really passive-aggressive email in which Epic attempts to sort of convince, sort of threaten Sony into adding cross-play to Fortnite.
It's already been bombshell after bombshell from a bunch of well-paid execs who email people like they're telling a misbehaving child to do their homework, but it turns out that one exec in particular is actually, maybe, quite pleasant behind the scenes.
That man is Phil Spencer, Xbox Head, who's recently been maybe teasing some kind of Xbox-Nintendo collab. Most people think that collab will turn out to be xCloud, Xbox's cloud gaming service, on Switch — and, if we read between the lines in Phil's email, that could just be the case. It looks like he's been pitching xCloud to other platform holders — that would be Sony and Nintendo — since at least August 2020.
But the biggest reveal (for our money, anyway) is that Phil Spencer sends very nice emails. He apologises multiple times for falling behind (we can relate to that) and he doesn't even use that much corporate jargon to get his point across! Sure, maybe he only speaks like that to other CEO-type-folks, but still — the art of a good email is worth appreciating.
Here's the email text, with some extra formatting for readability:
"I owe you a bunch of things and I'm behind. I apologize for that, just a lot going on but that's not an excuse.
You've obviously seen our Samsung announce, and now our back and forth with Apple. At the highest levels of [Microsoft], we are committed to pushing on these policies and continuing to expand our console platforms capabilities. You can chime in as you feel comfortable.
But I did want to just let you know that I have your point on xCloud on other consoles (haven't given up), [Free to Play games] outside of [Xbox Gold] (we will get there, and I want to partner with you), and our Store entitlement ideas as items I'm going to review with you to make progress. I'm committed to that, just behind.
Hope you are well,
Phil
We bet Phil Spencer is really good at breaking up with people in a nice way.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 76
This means nothing. Of course Spencer wants to put his xCloud service on other consoles because his company would benefit by doing so, and that also would mean he hopes that Nintendo and other console manufacturers would be willing to take such a risk. No, they would not. xCloud, Game Pass, Xbox Games, none of those things are licensed by Nintendo.
Enough with the Microsoft/Nintendo obsession. It's so unappealing. If you have a smartphone, you can simply use that for the service.
@backup368 “enough with the…”
Don’t click on the article if you’re tired of it 🤷🏻♂️
I heard Phil Spencer even e-mailed Miyamoto some tasteful nudes
but how do you know that? I think that its entirely possible for Nintendo and Xbox to collaborate on the possible upcoming Switch Pro, and it's also pretty fun to have our hopes high.
All I really get out of it for sure is that Spencer actually wants xCloud on other consoles to happen, but no results as of last August.
Who knows? Rare Replay on Switch would be pretty awesome, Killer Instinct, too.
@GMACGAMER1234 There would be absolutely no benefit for Nintendo to do that.
They are not going to repeat the Sony situation where they nearly lost control of their IPs.
I would be all about xcloud on switch
@LUIGITORNADO I give this site traffic. Maybe I shouldn't anymore. Is that an okay idea?
I am getting so tired of the Xbox/Nintendo collaboration rumors. It seems that everyday you guys print something. How bout just wait and see what happens and then post when it happens instead a rumor article everyday.
This site is become more of a video game tabloid then a news site.
I hope not (Purely for selfish reasons as I've just treated myself to an Xbox Series S so I could get Xbox game pass, would turn out to be a waste of money if I could have it on my Switch as well)
@backup368 Of course, none of them are licensed, the point here is the potential for at least one of them to be on Switch and how beneficial it would be for them. How is reporting about a potential collab with Microsoft an obsession anyway?
@KillerBOB Now we can start connecting the dots.
Once we know that Miyamoto sent some back it's confirmed - Mario is Master Chief and Cappy is Cortana.
I have no clue what xcloud can offer.
Just keep in mind while everybody is getting excited on a subscription cloud services for the Switch. Don’t forget the more people sign up for subscription the lies physical games you will see!
@Marios-love-child I could envision a scenario where somehow X cloud only works on Switch in handheld mode, software put in place to not let it output to an external monitor. This way MS could enter the handheld market but Nintendo could still say Switch isn't an Xbox, it's an XboxGo. So if you have your XSX hooked up to a tv don't fret just yet.
Even MS probably doesn't watch Switch outputting Gamepass to tv, yet another reason not to buy an Xbox. But handheld does make sense for both parties. If the Switch WiFi is even capable of pulling it off.
The benefits to Nintendo would be the Switch would have 2 different libraries of games, how would that not help sales of it even more? Buy a Switch and get Nintendos own games and an Xbox library as well? They're not making this happen fast enough, IMO. I don't see how anyone who calls themselves a gamer can argue against it beyond some arbitrary reason.
Besides, it even more ridiculous that people are against something that, if happened, would be completely optional. They don't like the idea of it and think that's basis enough that no one else should have it or want it.
@backup368 It's such a shame that the comments aren't ranked and ones like yours get stuck at the top.
It's unappealing.....to you maybe, so that means no one else should want? I'd get it the day it launched.
And a smartphone, really? Sounds just as empty as when Blizzard said it.
"News," huh? 🤔 (Hmm, is that it? Can you think of someting [sic] more to say?)
Ah the rumored, Nintendo SX Box 🍆🍑🥵.
“Hi it’s Phil Spencer. I want to devalue how much profit the games industry makes on it’s products, and for Xbox to make all that profit, and to have free access to your servers to put this service on.
Hello? Mr Furukawa? Mr Bowser? Shigsy?”
Didn’t Nintendo supposedly said that they don’t allow any other streaming services or game services on the switch?
Been saying this for awhile. My bet is that Microsoft is planning on releasing the Edge browser on the Switch, and it will be through that browser that Xcloud streaming can be possible.
I still believe we will eventually see individual Microsoft titles available for purchase powered by xCloud. Maybe just call them xCloud Editions like the Hitman game, maybe MS is closer to such an arrangement. Who knows.
@backup368 Microsoft buys Nintendo! lol I bet you would love that. I would love to see this.
@Shadowthrone Yeah, what's wrong with a phone? Nintendo doesn't want customers to treat their flagship device as a 2nd screen and not have to pay another cent for software,
@kingv84 That's exactly what I wrote on my YouTube channel community page.
@backup368 The Switch is underpowered and is missing a lot of games that simply can not run on it. Nintendo does not even have its own first party version of a Forza/Gran Turismo game. lol, So, Xbox on Switch would help get gamers games that cant run on Switch.
@backup368 I must assume you don't actually game if you have to ask why someone would prefer to use the Switch over a phone.
Wow, you guys are really kissing this guy's butt. You must really want Xbox cloud games on Switch
An opinion I do not share.
@Heavyarms55 Good for you. lol, some people would love to have Xbox Cloud games on Switch. You can simply ignore the service and continue to play whatever is on the eshop.
@kingv84 Good way for Nintendo to shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly.
@WoomyNNYes Games that can not run on Switch.
@Heavyarms55 Not sure how they would shoot themselves, when people just buy Nintendo exclusives anyway on Switch. 3rd Party games would look better on Xcloud than running on the underpowered HW of the Switch.
Finally a man who speaks our language, am I right @bimmy-lee?What type of chicken do you think he's playing with Tim Sweeney at this point? Popeyes? Perhaps the big unveiling will be that kfCONSOLE that fries chicken and holds your laezie gaems
@Shadowthrone
If the comments were ranked backup368's comment would still be near the top.
Also it is just their opinion, one I agree with, so don't get in such a twist over it.
Holy cow this article is burying the lead here. This email openly admitted to Free to Play games not needing Xbox live gold 8 months in advance.
With that sort of foreshadowing, it makes xCloud for the Switch almost inevitable. I think the next Switch will be good, but not powerful enough to keep up. With xCloud, Nintendo won’t have to worry about missing out on the AAA releases anymore. All 3 systems will be almost unified. Crazy
I’m so tired of this news, so I’m gonna click on the article and COMMENT.
😃
@kingv84 I didn't know that was a problem. The sales of the Switch state otherwise.
The Switch emphasizes how true video game portability should be handled. Ports are the way to go, no matter how bad (ok, maybe not WWE level of bad). Streaming, while a great way to experience games that require so much hardware to run, isn't the answer, especially if they charge you at full price with a warning that says the service may end in the future.
@kingv84 "Nintendo does not even have its own first party version of a Forza/Gran Turismo game"
Mario Kart exists you know? And are those really the best game you could choose to highlight?
@backup368 @Scrubicius I can guarantee that the people who would get a Switch just for Xcloud and not even buy 1 game is incredibly miniscule compared to how people own a switch and a game right now
@TheFullAndy I just don't get the mentality of "I personally don't want this completely optional thing that doesn't affect me whatsoever, so therefore no one should ever have it and it shouldn't even be an option".
People keep asking for themes and whatnot on Switch. I think they're a waste of time, but I'm not going to advocate that people who do want them should never get them. I'd just never use them myself.
@Entrr_username So do you think Nintendo introducing this new service where you wouldn't ever have to pay them another cent is a good idea?
@Entrr_username Forza and Grand Tourismo are completely different experiences than MK8D. MK8D = goofy Chihuahua.... Forza a Doberman. Both dogs, but quite different.
@backup368 Who's to say they won't buy anything else? They can't stick with Xcloud forever
@rockodoodle True but they're still racing games at the end of the day.
While Cloud does present a kinda neat work around for Nintendo perpetually being behind the tech curve by bringing the latest stuff to their consoles anyway, I don't think I'd jump on board for it.
I think I'd rather see a collaboration come in the form of a single game that they develop together. I'm sure a mess of issues would come from trying to do that, but think of the possibilities of what their combined strengths could make!
@Shadowthrone
There are a lot of potential negatives to having Microsoft basically open a store on Nintendo's system that would see Nintendo saying no. I have gone over them before so just search my previous (recent) comments if you want.
Thankfully there is an option if you want to play Xbox games, it's called Xbox (paraphrasing Don Mattrick there!)
Personally beyond cross play and Microsoft releasing the occasional game on a Nintendo platform I think the big three should leave each other alone.
Gamepass or Xcloud on Nintendo or Sony platforms just leads to a Microsoft led future of incredibly uninspired "AAA" games with no competition to worry about as Microsoft will have consumed the other two companies like a parasite.
I hope we find out why the switch has been in the background of videos soon, I'm curious at this point. Also I like the story of no one picking up the 30 bottles of wine and them drinking it all. Seems like a good day for them.
@Entrr_username Yes, you could. You can decide to buy Xbox games and use the Switch as a dedicated 2nd screen.
Any opportunity to kiss Phil's bum, huh?
If that is the case...where is the PS5 on the shelf? Lol I mean he clearly states he wants it on all consoles.
@TheFullAndy
Those two are probably well aware of all those reasons you’ve stated, developer’s opting to use game pass to get on Switch is something that Nintendo will absolutely not behind. Game pass is nothing but a spin on the always online and 100% Microsoft controlled vision they had for Xbone but now even worse since streaming is heavily involved and they’ve clearly spent a fortune on marketing and astroturfing to get people to accept it as normal, I looked at Reddit comments on the Switch sub that are critical of people’s pareidolia over a shelf and they get swamped in downvotes, I’m sorry but downvoting like that only happens on a console focused sub when it’s against the console/company. If it ever happens I’m sure they’ll enjoy the monkey’s paw of quickly maxing out their bandwidth caps and discovering that steaming games sucks ***** if you actually care about playing games
@Tasuki said "This site is become more of a video game tabloid then a news site."
And yet, we keep coming back, for some (unknown) reason.
It's interesting I suppose but I am not hugely excited personally.
I think it would be pretty cool, but big picture, not so cool for smaller developers. If u aren’t part of the deal, it’s going to be hard for those outside Gamepass to compete.
@backup368 they're not really in a competing space though at the end of the day because Nintendo is in a better exclusives position, people like me who have gamepass and a switch would absolutely benefit from this.
@Jokerwolf They are always in competition. They're out to sell people their hardware and software just like the other 2 companies.
@kingv84 My goodness did you really just make that nonsense argument? And you even suggest there's anything good about cloud gaming?
Yep, we're done here.
Putting Xcloud to other platforms means Xbox is having a slow death just like Sega
This actually tells as nothing TBH.
@ManInTheChair valve will never be able to work with Nintendo because has no interest in working with valve
@TheFullAndy it sounds like you're saying they should bring back the console wars
i think this means Nintendo changed their minds and finally said yes to either xcloud or Xbox game pass to come to switch but only allowing games that are on Xbox but not available on switch to be playable, that way if someone has a game on switch that's also available on Xbox they aren't able to play the Xbox version to do it being pointless, also, it could help Xbox be more accessible in Japan since Xbox consoles don't sell well in Japan
"Most people think that collab will turn out to be xCloud, Xbox's cloud gaming service, on Switch"
Do they though? Sounds like a thing from the echo chamber of the author rather than reality
There is no way nintendo will allow microsoft to put mario on xbox. I mean i would like that but lets be real...
@a1904 I couldn't agree with you more.
@desireefan36
They never went away!
Endless 'news' stories I have grown to hate:
Guys the dude loves the Switch. That’s it. That’s why it’s on the shelf. There is no other meaning behind it.
@NintendoByNature - This man will NEVER stop sending polite, professional emails until he is master of all he surveys. His mannerly style chicken is built for the long haul, and Skeletor tweeted that we shouldn’t expect this until the second switch pro revision in June 2025.
I'm tired of the elitism people have when this idea comes up. Like, no one knows if it will even happen, and if it does and you don't want it, it literally won't affect you. It's fun to speculate. It's a fun idea to think we might be able to play games we were previously unable to on switch.
@backup368 that's not what I mean though, having that streaming service may draw people to it who are on the fence about the switch because they are PC only or xbox only. People who like Nintendo franchises are always going to buy a new Nintendo system they've already locked that segment of the world in.
@Entrr_username I can guarantee as soon a cloud services hits we will start seeing less release of physical release.
Actually you can see this in there other entrainment departments.
Hello subscription, bye bye physical release. The consumers chooses.
@Jokerwolf Don't forget the parents thanks to the price!
@Marios-love-child
On Switch, you would just have the Cloud version of Game Pass. Just like what you can get on your phone. So it wouldn't make your purchase a waste.
@Scrubicius @backup368 You sure about that
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/nintendo_switch_sales_surpass_game_boy_advance_as_demand_stays_high
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/mario_kart_8_deluxe_retains_its_crown_in_nintendo_switch_best-selling_games_list
@Entrr_username it sure what you are trying to say about hardware sales and Mario Kart.
But what you are referring is the past and today. What I am saying is, in the future, the more subscription models we are offered the less physical media will purchased.
Here a sign already how digital content is impacting sales
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/nintendo_eshop_growth_continues_with_massive_increase_to_digital_sales
And numbers don’t lie:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2019/01/03/sales-of-physical-music-media-slump-as-consumers-move-to-streaming-services/?sh=57d161bd2255
Which this is just one Artikel from many more.
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